We’ve all been that kind of person who signs up for free events and doesn’t show up. A harmless crime, until you become the person who organizes a sold-out free event and ends up with empty seats. But don’t despair, there are a few good ways to avoid no-shows and restore your hope in humanity.

This year, Malmö’s The Conference set aside the hot topics in technology to give space to the boring conversations we need to have about things like trust, truth, fake realities and real fictions. It was a really good tech conference that felt nothing like a tech conference.

Exhibit booths or stands at events are meant to create a valuable experience for attendees, but they often end up being boring, ugly and a waste of space. Here are some basic design principles to help you think outside the booth and build one that will gather a crowd.